Walkeshwar

Etymology

Walkeshwar takes its name after Lord Shiva, one part of the Trinity of Hinduism. The modern form of the word derives from the Sanskrit word for an idol made of sand - Valuka Iswar, an avatar of Shiva - in a legend celebrated at the Walkeshwar Temple, situated at the highest point of the city.

Legend

Legend has it that Hindu god, Ram paused at that spot on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of the demon king, Ravana who had kidnapped his wife, Sita. Then Lord Rama was advised to worship Shiv linga and he is said to have constructed the original linga of sand, after getting tired of waiting for his brother, Lakshman to bring an idol. The name is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit word for an idol made of sand -- Valuka Iswar, an Avatar of Shiva.

As the story progresses, later when Ram was thirsty, as there was no fresh water readily available (only sea water), he shot an arrow and brought Ganges over here. Hence Bana (arrow in Sanskrit) Ganges. The water that feeds the tank stems from an underground spring at that spot, despite its proximity to the sea.

Overview

Walkeshwar also includes Malabar Hill, and is close to the Hanging Gardens. Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor of Maharashtra, has the maximum number of Gulmohur trees thus making a pretty site in the season is located here besides some of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the whole country, prices ranging from Rs 92,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per square foot (approximately $US1656–1800 per square foot), which can be compared to residential luxury apartments in the US. It probably has the most expensive real estate in the whole of India. It has a lot of prime residential buildings in the area. Most of the buildings are sea facing and the location has lot of natural character. The sea is very calm here as it is the bay area. There is also a Jain temple, near the Malabar Hill Police Station.

Places of interest

• Babu Amichand Panalal Adishvarji Jain Temple : Babu Amichand Panalal Adishvarji Jain Temple is one of the most visited Jain temple in Mumbai. This temple was built in 1904 and belongs the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism. The temple is known for its intricate carvings, architecture and paintings. It is dedicated to Adishvarji(Rishabhanatha), the first tirthankara of Jainism. The mulnayak is a sculpture of Adishvarji. Padmavati and Ghantakaran Mahavir are also represented. The Parshvayaksha the 'adhisthayak Dev' form of Lord Parshwanatha is found here. There are carvings of Navgraha, Yaksha and Yakshi on the ceiling. Chandanbala Jain Temple lies close by.
• Valkeshvar Temple also known as the Baan Ganga Temple, is a temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple and the attached fresh water Banganga Tank were built in 1127 AD.
• The Hanging Gardens or Ferozshah Mehta Gardens, are terraced gardens at the top of Malabar Hill, in the west, facing Kamala Nehru Park. The sun set views over the Arabian Sea,are majestic beyond sculpted hedges. The park was laid out in 1881 by Ulhas Ghapokar over Bombay's main reservoir.
• Banganga Tank is an ancient water tank which is part of the Valkeshwar Temple Complex in Malabar Hill area of Mumbai in India built in the 1127 AD.

Kamala Nehru Park, named after the wife of PM Jawaharlal Nehru, is one of the oldest parks in Mumbai, a verdant oasis in the city. Its extent appears to be shoe-like so it is also known as Shoe Park.

Gallery

File:Mumbai 03-2016 77 sunset at Marine Drive.jpg|Skyline of Walkeshwar during sunset File:Village of Walkeshwar, Mumbai, 1860.jpg|Village of Walkeshwar, Mumbai, 1860 File:Walkeshwar, Bombay, c. 1855.jpg|Walkeshwar, Bombay, c. 1855 File:Shiva temple walkeshwar.JPG|Nandi stands Guard at a Shiva Temple Walkeshwar, Mumbai, India File:Malabarpoint governmenthouse bombay.jpg|Malabar Point, Bombay, 1865 File:Bombay10.jpg|Priyadarshini Park in Mumbai File:Mumbai 03-2016 26 Hanging Garden.jpg|The Hanging Gardens at Malabar Hill File:Bangangatank.jpg|Banganga tank File:Banganga temple shikhara.jpg|Walkeshwar Temple File:Ancient Statues Walkeshwar.JPG|Ancient statues around Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar File:Jain temple in bombay 3.jpg|Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple File:India-7810 - Flickr - archer10 (Dennis).jpg|Carving of Navgraha, Yaksha and Yakshi on ceiling of Jain Temple File:Mumbai Jain-Tempel.jpg|Idol of Parshvantha File:Padmavati Devi Walkeshwar Jain Temple.jpg|Goddess Padmavati at Walkeshwar Jain Temple

References

References

1. [http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/architecture/building/walkeshwar.html Walkeshwar Temple]
2. [http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/v/019pho000000937u00009000.html Walkeshwar village] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 ''[[British Library]]''.)
3. "Archived copy".
4. "Mumbai Babu Amichand Panalal Adishvarji Temple @ HereNow4U".
5. (March 2012). "Valkeshvar Jain Temple ( Derasar | Mandir ) at Malabar Hills - Mumbai".